Goldsmith Woodlands
Andover Village Improvement Society
Bessie Goldsmith's legacy: white pines and Foster's Pond
 

Size:142 acres

  Parking: Parking for several cars off South Main Street (Rte. 28) near Gould Rd.  
 
  Handicapped use:Main trail from Rte. 28 toward pond is passable by wheelchairs.

History
  Goldsmith Woodlands is rich in history.

  Relics of an Indian encampment have been found near Foster's Cove and a large number of projectile points (arrowheads) have been discovered north of Foster's Pond in Ballardvale.

  Foster's Pond was probably named for Andrew Foster, the 22nd man to settle in Andover.

  He died in 1685 at the age of 106.

  His wife, Ann Foster, was one of 41 people accused of witchcraft during 1692 and 1693.

  The elderly Goody Foster was imprisoned in a tiny jail cell in Salem during the hot summer months.

  She died there after 21 weeks of confinement.

  An 1830 map shows the Goldsmith family in possession of the woodlands.

  During the early 20th century, Goldsmith Woodlands were a favorite summer retreat.

  Bessie Goldsmith collected rent from those who had cottages on her land.

  Cellar holes and swing hinges on trees are still visible.
 

  One of these cottages belonged to Zack, a caretaker of these woods and a handyman for the summer residents.

  His name lives on in the designation of Zack's way, Zack's house and Zack's hop pit, a large cellar hole on the hill overlooking the pond.

  In 1974, Bessie Goldsmith, a dedicated conservationist, donated her woodlands and land inherited from her brother Clarence to the Fund for the Preservation of Wildlife and Natural Areas.

  AVIS became the caretakers in 1977 with funds given for maintenance out of Bessie's trust.

  Stories about Bessie Goldsmith's somcwhat eccentric behavior in her devotion to protecting her woodlands are legendary.

  She lived in a rustic cabin on a knoll overlooking Foster's Pond.

  She was known to point her shotgun at trespassers and if she caught people picking blueberries, she demanded they turn the full pail over to her.

Natural features
  Some of the trees, rhododendrons and laurels growing along the roadway in Goldsmith Woodlands were planted by Bessie Goldsmith herself.

  Note the avenues of white pines, so dense that few plants can grow beneath them.

  The yellow lady slippers are in bloom here in late spring.

  Other plants rarely seen are visited by Harvard University botanists.

  Foster's Pond is of glacial origin.

  The marshes adjacent to the pond are home to cattails, loosestrife, pitcher plants and blue herons.